Announcements & a little help in the Wardrobe department

Iiiiiiit’s April!!!! You know what that means. The FIRST EVER SHE SAID CONTEST is officially done and we have a winner…(drum roll please)…Jeana Johnson YOU are the official recipient of a $25 Target gift card! Thank you everyone for your ideas and suggestions! I’m still welcoming them as we’re still in search of the perfect:

Ottoman/coffee table

Paint color

throw pillows

accessories

In the meantime, I will be posting updates and spray painting anything that stands still. You’ve been warned.

BUT, I wanted to take you on a little detour today to talk about an epidemic of huge proportions plaguing our culture. Brace yourself today…we’re talking…sweatpants.

Maybe it’s the crazy weather we’ve had this winter, but I’ve noticed something more than ever this season. People are refusing to get dressed in real clothes. I’m not sure when it started, but looking like you haven’t showered is now acceptable to some in our culture and frankly it’s a little weird. When I’m grocery shopping, I don’t want to see your Pj’s and slippers. Its almost as if there’s a phobia of things like.. “buttons” (ahhhhh) and “zippers”(nooooo!!!!) And don’t EVEN get me started on leggings as pants. (shudder)

Here’s the thing. There’s a school of thought that says that focusing on the outer appearance at all is superficial and vain. And you know what, if the main focus is on your life is on your appearance, then I agree, you’re life is pretty small. BUT, here’s a nugget of truth to bring balance to that argument, You are a treasure.   Hand created by the greatest designer in all of the universe. He celebrates you and longs to see you walk in the confidence you were created to have not because you fit a certain mold, but because you are His. Psalms 45:11 says:

The Lord thinks you’re beautiful and He wants you to honor Him not by fixating on yourself, but by making the proper investment to present the best version of yourself.

One of my all time favorite shows, WHAT NOT TO WEAR recently went off the air after its 10^th season, and it was a sad day, but let us not forget our good friend Stacy London’s words 🙂 :

“a lot of people think the fashion, the outside, is the superficial part. It is also about what you’re feeling on the inside at any given time.”

So true Stace, clothing is a exterior manifestation of what’s going on on the inside of you. How you feel about yourself is going to come out in what you wear, plain and simple.

So, you know you need to present yourself well and have a little fun with your clothes, I mean it is Springtime and all, why not give yourself a little help?

I’ve found that sometimes the biggest hurdle in getting dressed is being able to quickly put together what you have and to do it well. Well, buckle up kids, ‘cause I’m about to change your life :).

Here’s what you need: -smart phone

                                                -full-length mirror

                                           -your clothes 🙂

Here’s what you’re going to do: Before you leave for the day, snap a picture of yourself in said full-length mirror (they are $5 at Target, so no excuses). From there, you’re going to create a digital “Album” in your “Photos” on your phone. I’m using an iPhone for the demo and the “Photos” is separate from the Camera. I’m sure it’s very similar on an Android.

Next, open your “Photos” app and click the + sign in the upper left hand corner. You’re now adding an album and you should title it whatever makes you happy. Mine is called, “Closet Inspiration.”

After you’ve created the Album click into it and hit “Select” at the top right hand corner. On the bottom of the screen you should now see “Add too,” click that and it will open your “Camera Roll” giving you access to every pic you’ve taken. Now, just scroll through and touch the pictures you’ve taken of yourself before you leave for the day, hit “done” and there you have it. It’ll look something like this:

(Note: refuse to take yourself too seriously in these pics, it’ll make you smile as you’re getting ready for the day 🙂 )

I can’t even tell you how much time and headache this idea has saved me. When you’re plagued by the ever-looking-question, “What am I going to wear????” You simply open your phone and scroll through your closet album until you find the best option for the day. This will save you money as well because you can easily remember what you love from season to season which lessens your “need” to go shopping because you have “nothing” to wear. 🙂 It’s also a huge help in packing, one of my least favorite things to do in the world. Scrolling through your favorite outfits can help you edit pretty quickly what needs to go in your suitcase.

I really hope this little tip helps you guys in a big way! And to conclude today’s blogging extravaganza, one last quote from Stacy London:

“Clothes should bring you joy and make you feel beautiful. How do your clothes make you feel?”

Until next time…

Meg